Accumulating system



May 14, 1935. c. FOHL ACCUMULATING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 17, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR i A- 'ORNEY May 14, 1935.

c. mm. 2,001,304

ACCUMULATING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 1'7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY J JLW F w ATTORNEY Patented may 34, 3%35 A 2fifi 2,%1,3M ACUUMULATING SYSTM Carl F6111, Berlin, Germany, assignor to Rutheaccumulator Aktiebolag, Berlin, Germany, a corporation 03 Sweden Application December 17, 1931, Serial No. 531,713

Germany December 18, 1930 21 Claims. (Cl. 237-56) My invention relates to an improvement in hot cerned, it is immaterial whether or not any steam water heating systems and contemplates a hot iswithdrawn. Generator I may be supplied with water accumulator included in such a system with feed water in the usual manner.. I

a hot water generator and heat consumers. A conduit I3 is connected to the water space of 5 One of the objects of my invention is to provide generator in and leads to the intake of a pump 5 a system wherein a constant heat input to the It. A conduit l5 connects the discharge of pump hot water generator may be maintained regard- M with one or more heat consumers I6. These less of variations in demand for hot water. consumers may be of any nature wherein heat is Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a absorbed from hot water supplied to the consystem wherein fluctuations in the heat input sumers, one example being hot water coils in dye- 10 may be taken care of, although these fluctuations ing vats. The inlet of each consumer to is proare not in accordance with the demand, of the vided with a valve H which may be manually opheat consumers. erable. A conduit i8 connects the discharge of A still further object of my invention is the consumers It with the bottom of a hot water acprovi on of such a system which is fully autocumulator l9. Accumulator 9 is preferably armatic, being controlled by conditions arising in ranged in a vertical position and is covered with the system due to either or both fluctuations in insulating material 23. heat input orin the demand for hot water. A conduit 2| is connected to conduit I8. or

Further objects and advantages of my invention might be connected directly to the bottom of will be apparent from the following description accumulator l9, and leads to the water space of 20 considered in connection with the accompanying generator l0. Within conduit 2| there is disdrawings, which form a part of this specification posed a resistance to the flow of fluid there-: and on which: through. The resistance may be a flxed'oriflce, Fig. l is a more or less diagrammatic view, para manually operable valve, or an overflow valve. tially in cross-section, of a preferred embodi- An overflow valve is preferable and is shown on 25 ment of my invention; the drawings. Overflow valve 22 is known per Fig. 2 is a more or less diagrammatic view, parse and is arranged to open when the pressure on tially in cross-section, of a modified embodiment the supply side of the valve increases to a preof my invention; determined value, and to close when the pressure Fig. 3 is a more or less diagrammatic view, drops below this value. The valve comprises a 30 partially in cross-section, of a still further modivalve member 23 mountedon' a. reciprocable valve fled embodiment ofmyinvention; stem 24, the other end of which carries a pis- Fig. 4 is a more or less diagrammatic view, ton 25 slidably mounted within a cylinder 2o. partially in cross-section, of a portion of the ap- The upperend of the cylinder is connected by paratus shown in Fig. 3, but with a fixed orifice means of a conduit 27 with conduit 2| on the 35 substituted in place of a variable valve shown in supply side of the valve. A spring 28- is located Fig. 3;and in cylinder 26 beneath piston 25 and tends to Fig. 5 is a more or less diagrammatic view, parforce the piston upwardly in the cylinder, while tially in cross-section, of a portion of the appathe fluid pressure conveyed through conduit 2! l0 ratus shown in Fig. 2, but with the thermostatic to the upper part of the cylinder tends to force element placed directlyinthe generator. the piston downwardly and to thus open the Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, reference valve. character In designates a hot water or hot water A conduit 29 is connected to conduit i5 and and steam generator which may be heated by leads to the upper part of accumulator IS. A

5 liquid, gaseous or solid fuel or by steam. Ii suitable resistance, such as overflow valve 30,

steam is employed for heating the contents of the which may be similar in all respects to overgenerator, the steam may advantageously be obflow valve 22, is introduced in conduit 29. A tained from the discharge of a high pressure conduit 3| is connected to conduit 29 at a point steam consumer. Generator I0 is preferably covbetween overflow valve 30 and accumulator l9,

3 ered with an insulating material I l. A conduit or it might be connected directly to the upper 0 I2 is connected to the upper part of generator l0 part of the accumulator. The other end of conand serves as a steam delivery conduit in the duit 3| is connected to conduit 2| at 'a point event that it is desired to withdraw steam from between overflow valve 22 and generator ID. the generator to be used for any special purpose. Conduit 3| might be connected directly to the i However, so far as the present invention is conwater space in generator to. A pressure re- 2 sponsive valve 32 is disposed in conduit 3 Valve 32 is' similar to overflow valve 22 except that the valve member is so arranged that an increase in fluid pressure exerted on the piston tends to close the valve against the force of thespring. A conduit 33 connects the upper part of the cylinder of valve 32 with the'steam space of generator l9, so that an increase in pressure in the generator tends to close valve 32.,

The operation of the above described device is as follows:

Assume that generator I is being heated at a constant rate, which is sufllcient to provide enough hot water for the average requirements of the heat consumers I6. Assume further that at this particular instant one or more 'of the valves H are closed due to the fact that one or more of the consumers are out of use. Pump l4 operates at a constant speed and, due to the fact that one or more of valves l1 are closed, the pressure in conduit l will increase. This increase in pressure will be exerted in conduit 29 and will cause valve 30 to open. Due to prior conditions existing in the system the pressure in generator l0 may be such that valve 32 is either shut or open, or partially open. Assume that valve 32 is closed due to a high pressure in generator In. A portion of the hot water pumped by pump l5 and 29, due to the fact that one or more of valves H are closed, and through valve 30 and into the top of accumulator I9. This hot water will displace cold water from the lower part of the accumulator and this cold water will flow, along with the discharge, if any, from consumer I6, through conduits l8 and 2|, the pressure created by pump l4 causing overflow valve 22 to open and thus permitting flow through conduit 2| to generator |0. It will thus be seen that during this period of low heat consumption, cold water will be forced from the accumulator into the generator. Under conditions of low. heat consumption the generator is able to take care of this supply of cold water. If, on the other hand, a comparatively low pressure exists in generator l0, due to the fact that a comparatively large amount of steam is being withdrawn through conduit |2, then valve 32 will be open and the hot water flowing through conduit 29 may pass through conduits 3| and 2| into generator l9. Thus, under such conditions cold water from the accumulator will not be introduced into the generator.

Assume now that all of valves I! are open and apeak load condition exists. The pressure in conduit l5 will drop and overflow valve 39 will close. All of the hot water will be supplied to the heat consumers and discharge therefrom in a cooled state through conduit l8. If the'pressure in generator I9 is sufficiently high to maintain valve 32 closed, this cold water will pass through conduit 2| to the generator. However, -the introduction of this large amount of cold water into the generator will cause the pressure therein to drop to such a point that valve 32 is. opened. The cold water discharged through conduit l8 will now pass into the lower part of accumulator l9 due to the fact that the opening of valve 32 has so reduced the pressure in the system that the overflow valve 22 will close. Introduction of the cold water into the lower part of accumulator l9 will displace hot water from the upper part of the accumulator and this hot water will flow through conduits 29, 3| and 2| into generator l0. Thus, during periods of peak load M will flow through conduits the generator will be supplied with hot water from the accumulator which has been stored during periods of low load.

If the heat input to generator I fluctuates due to any cause, such as uneven firing or variations in steam supply in the event that the generator is heated by exhaust steam from a steam consumer or byexcess steam from a steam generator, the system automatically accommodates itself to such changes. In the event that the rate of heating of the generator is low, the pressure in the generator may drop sufficiently so that valve 32 will open. If this happens at a time when one or more of valves H are closed, the hot water circulated by pump I will pass through conduits l5 and 29, valve 30 being open due to the fact that one or more of valves II are closed. This hot water will pass from conduit 29 into conduits 3| and 2| .and back to the generator. Overflow valve 22 will be closed under these conditions due to the fact that valve 32 is open and hence prevents a sufflcient pressure being built up in the system by the pump to open valve 22.

In the event that a low rate of heating takes place at the same time that all of valves, H are open, overflow valve 3|] will be closed and valve 32 will be open. Under these conditions the cold water discharged from the consumers through conduit l3 will pass into the lower part 0! accumulator l9 and will displace hot water from the upper part of the accumulator which will flow through conduits 29, 3| and 2| into the generator. It will thus be seen that the generator is supplied with hot water at such times as the heat input thereof is low, regardless of the demand of the consumers.

Inasmuch as hot water has a lower specific gravity than cold water and inasmuch as hot water is admitted to the top of the accumulator while cold water is admitted to the bottom, it follows that the water contained in the upper part of the accumulator will be hot while that contained in the lower part will be cold. On the drawings a line of demarcation between the hot and the cold water in the accumulator is represented at 34. However, it will be understood that no sharp line of demarcation exists. Nevertheless, there is a very distinct difference in temperature between the water in the upper part of the accumulator and that in the lower part.

It will be understood that the valves 30, 32 and 22 need not be either completely closed or completely open, but that these valves may take intermediate positions such that conditions of equilibrium will be maintained in the system.

If the resistances to flow in conduits 2| and 29 are fixed orifices or manually operable valves which, when once adjusted remain fixed, the operation of the system is substantially the same as when overflow valves 22 and 30 are partially open. If overflow valve 30 is replaced by a fixed orifice which offers a greater resistance to flow than do the consumers, then substantially all of the water from pump M will flow through the consumers if valves H are open.. However if one or more of valves l1 are closed the resistance to flow through the consumers is increased and more water passes through the fixed orifice in conduit 29. Likewise, as long as valve 32 is open, the resistance to flow through conduit 3| is less than through a fixed orifice in conduit 2| in place of overflow valve 22, and substantially all of the water will pass through valve 32 in preference to the orifice. However, if valve 32 is closed the only remaining path is through conduit 2| and cated in conduit invention which difiers from accaeoa Fig. 2 the only Fig. 1 is the means Fig. 2 this valve is this a thermostatic element 35 is located in conduit l3 and is connected by means of a tube 36 to the upper part of the cylinder of valve 32.

conduits 29, 3! and 2| to the generator.

Instead of having thermostatic element 35 10- I3, it might be located directly as shown in Fig. 5. In this case the system would in the generator the operation of pressure existing in the generator.

In Fig. 3 there is shown an arranged so that an perature in the generator causes the valve to open.

In the operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, if

mulator l9 if overflow valve 30 is closed, and from conduit 29if the overflow valve is open due to the valves I! being closed, or partially from both if one or two of the valves I I are closed and the remaining valves i! open.

In Fig. 4 the valve 32 of Fig. 3 is replaced by a fixed orifice 43. The resistance to flow through orifice 43 is such that a greater percentage of fluid will fiow through valve 5| if the latter valve is open. If valve 4| is closed all of the fluid supplied to the generator must pass through orifice 63.

While I have described several more or less specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that modifications thereof fall within its scope, which is to be determined by the appended claims viewed in the light of the prior art.

. mulator interconnected Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer and; an accuto form a closed system, means for withdrawing hot water from said genwater, respectively, from said accumulator to said generator so as to maintain the pressure within said generator substantially constant.

2. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer flow in said fourth conduit, and means operative in acco with increase in temperature of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to f cumulator, a second first conduit with the water in said generator for increasing the resistance in said fourth conduit.

, 5, In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a water pump, means for conveyi g water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connectingthe outlet of said pumpiwithsaid consumer, a hot water conduit connecting said said accumulator, a resistance .to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower crease in said pressure part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, 'a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said faccumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow means for conveying water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connecting the outlet of said pump with said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a-second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, and means operative in accordance with increase in pressure within said generator for increasing the resistance in said fourth conduit.

7. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a water pump,

means for conveying water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connecting the outletof said pump with said consumer, a hot second conduit connecting water accumulator, a said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer 'to' said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, and

' means operative in accordance with temperature variations of the water flowing through the first mentioned means for varying one of the two last mentioned resistances in-such manner that an increase in said temperature increases the relative resistance to flow through said fourth conduit as compared with said third conduit.

8. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer,,a water pump, means for conveying water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connecting the outlet of said pump with said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulat'or, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit,

pressure variations with saida fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, and means operative in accordance with increase in temperature of the water flowing through the first means for increasing the resistance insaid fourth conduit.

. 9. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a water pump, means for conveying water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connecting the outlet of said pump with saidconsumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, an overflow valve disposed in'said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, an overflow valve disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a valve in said fourth conduit, and means for closing said valve in accordance with increase in temperature of the water in said generator.

10. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, 9. heat consumer, a water pump, means for conveying water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connecting the outlet of said pump with said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said means for conveying water from said generatorto said pump, a first conduit connecting the outlet of said pump with said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, an overflow valve disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, an overflow valve disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a valve in said fourth conduit, and means for closing said valve in accordance with increase in temperature of water flowing through said first mentioned means.

12. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, an accumulator, means for conveying hot water from said generator to said consumer, means for conveying hot water from said generator to said accumulator, means for conveying cooled water from said consumer to said accumulator, means for conveying hot water from said accumulator to said generator, means for conveying cold water from said accumulator to said generator, and automatic means for controlling the admission of hot and cold water to said generator operative to maintain a substantially constant temperature in said generator.

13. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, an accumulator, means for conveying hot water from said mentioned consumer, means for conveying hot water from said generator to said accumulator, means for conveying cooled water from said consumer to said accumulator, means for conveying hot water from said accumulator to said generator, means for conveying cold water from said accumulator to said generator, and automatic means for controlling the admission of hot and cold water to said generator operative to maintain the temperature of the hot water withdrawn from said generator at a substantially constant temperature.

14. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a water pump, means for conveying water from said generator to said pump, a first conduit connecting the outlet of said pump with said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water fro'm said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance. to flow in said fourth conduit, and means operative generator to said in accordance with increase in temperature of the water in said generator for decreasing the resistance in said third conduit.

15. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a first conduit for conducting water from said generator to said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a-resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from said generator through said first conduit, and means operative in accordance with temperature variations of water in said generator for varying one of the two last mentioned resistances in such manner that an increase in said temperature increases the relative resistance to flow through said fourth conduit as compared with said third conduit.

16. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a first conduit for conducting water from said generator to said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part ofsaid accumulator with said generator, a resistance to fiow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from said generator through said first conduit, and

' means operative in accordance with increase in temperature of water in said generator for increasing the resistance in said fourth conduit.

17. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a first conduit for conducting water from said generator to said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance tofiow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a. resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from said generator through said first conduit, and means operative in accordance with increase in temperature of water in said generator for deheat consumer, a first conduit for conducting water from said generator to said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, an overflow valve disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, an overflow valve disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a valve in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from said generator through said first conduit, and means for closing said valve in accordance with increase in temperature of the water in said generator.

19. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a first conduit for conducting water from said generator to said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, a resistance to flow disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third conduit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, afourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from said generator through said first conduit, and means operative in accordance with temperature variations of the water flowing through said first conduit for varying one of the two last mentioned resistances in such manner that an increase in said temperature increases the relative resistance to flow through said fourth conduit as compared with said third conduit.

20. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot water generator, a heat consumer, a first conduit for conducting water from said generator to said consumer, a hot water accumulator, a second conduit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third con,- duit connecting the lower part 'of said accumulator with said generator, a resistance to flow disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, 'a resistance to flow in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from saidgenerator' through said first conduit, and means operative in accordance with increase in temperature of the water flowing through said first conduit for increasing the resistance in said fourth conduit.

a resistance to flow disposed in said 21. In a hot water accumulating system, a hot.

duit connecting said first conduit with said accumulator, an overflow valve disposed in said second conduit, means for conveying water from said consumer to said accumulator, a third con-' duit connecting the lower part of said accumulator with said generator, an overflow valve disposed in said third conduit, a fourth conduit connecting the upper part of said accumulator to said generator, a valve in said fourth conduit, means for producing flow of water from said generator through said first conduit, and means for closing said valve in accordance with increase in temperature of water flowing through said 5 first conduit.

CARL roan. 

